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Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

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Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#151

Post by coldpie »

bigtunacan wrote: post #123
morganherlocker wrote: post #25

Type I diabetic here. Assuming current tech stays where it is (not saying it will), this could easily tack 10 years on to my lifespan. For many who watch their diabetes less closely (something I cannot fault anyone for), this could add 20-30 years. For anyone who does not know, type I diabetes is not something you can just follow a doctor's direction on and be ok. Even if you follow your doctor perfectly, there can s…

Your last point listed here is such a big deal too. It shouldn't matter if these things are 100% effective; they need to be released and patients need to be informed that manual testing still needs to be done. If for no other reason than to help reduce the number of type 1 diabetics who die in their sleep from low blood sugars. For anyone here not familiar with this phenomenon; it is referred to as "Dead in Bed Syndr…

Yep. I actually have two alarms on my phone, one for wakeup, and one for 2 hours after I go to sleep. I've been doing this for years. Most nights I just solve the math problems unconsciously and go back to sleep. But some nights, I can't solve the math problems or otherwise feel low and I know it's time to check the BG.

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#152

Post by coldpie »

berkes wrote: post #142
mortov wrote: post #137

I'm amazed at how many people on HN are diabetic ! Could be an interesting study on cause/effect - is all this sitting at screens contributing to an epidemic or are there other factors ? Perhaps respondents are just self-selecting because of the subject matter ? It's also interesting how anyone who needs to track their blood sugars likes the idea of an easier and more convenient method - typical finger prick readings…

Please don't confuse Type I with Type II. Type II is caused by external influences, such as unhealty life-style, old age, or other medical conditions (which include genetic defects or other genetic variations). Type I is genetic. If you have the faulty genes, you get it. Regardless of lifestyle, health, country and whatnot. Another thing many people are confused with, is "severety of Diabetes". You can have "very sev…

> As a Type I, I'd love to see the medical world and then the rest of us, using a different term for Type I Diabetics > As a Type I, people often blame me for my desease. Often people think it is because of unhealty lifestyle. "Ah you are a diabetic, many programmers have Diabetes, guess its because they sit around all day, haha". This is infuriating.

I've experienced the same thing. We really do need a new name for Type 1. There's some small amount of agitation for this, but it largely doesn't seem to have caught on. I usually just tell people the full name: "I'm a Type 1 diabetic." Usually they've never heard of the "type" system before, and ask for clarification.

A couple articles about the need for a new name:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/healt...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-11-22/a-z/ct-met-dia... (I don't agree with the rudeness of some of the people quoted in this article, but it does drive the point home.)

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#153

Post by bigtunacan »

RA_Fisher wrote: post #141
trekky1700 wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, how old are you and how long have you had it? I've had it for 11 years this February, and while my A1C is pretty terrible (high), the idea that I might not be able to detect lows eventually is pretty terrifying.

In my experience (Type 1 partner), it's repeated and severe lows, say like 4 or 5 in a week, that will give you hypo-unawareness. It's definitely possible to experience that and still have a high A1C, but I don't see it causing hypo-unawareness. I'd highly recommend a pump to get more control.

That is simply misinformation. The problem is you can not extrapolate your personal experience out to the rest of the population. I'm virtually hypo-unaware and I have low blood sugars maybe 2 or 3 times in a month.

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#154

Post by zaider »

morganherlocker wrote: post #39
klapinat0r wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a fellow type 1 diabetic, I'm thrilled with any new projects - especially a project like this which would benefit not only type 1, and is not only targeted for type 2. > how soon this could possibly be available? I've been following various type 1 research for as long as I can remember (runs in the family, myself etc.), and I remember a similar enthusiasm back when glucose watches were first in production. I recal…

Oh, Panic Room. The movie in which a child has a severe low blood sugar, on the edge of death, and her mother administers here a large shot of... insulin! I could not believe it when I saw it. The treatment given in the movie would have killed her in no time. For future reference, in case anyone comes across a diabetic experiencing a seizure. Do not give insulin in this case. This will lower blood sugar further. What…

Why shoot it into the leg? Aren't most injections given in the arm? If it needs to go into a vein is it an issue of it reacting faster there?

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#155

Post by RA_Fisher »

bigtunacan wrote: post #153
RA_Fisher wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my experience (Type 1 partner), it's repeated and severe lows, say like 4 or 5 in a week, that will give you hypo-unawareness. It's definitely possible to experience that and still have a high A1C, but I don't see it causing hypo-unawareness. I'd highly recommend a pump to get more control.

That is simply misinformation. The problem is you can not extrapolate your personal experience out to the rest of the population. I'm virtually hypo-unaware and I have low blood sugars maybe 2 or 3 times in a month.

I didn't say it was the only way to get hypo-unawareness, it's my experience.

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#156

Post by [deleted] »

zaider wrote: post #154
morganherlocker wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh, Panic Room. The movie in which a child has a severe low blood sugar, on the edge of death, and her mother administers here a large shot of... insulin! I could not believe it when I saw it. The treatment given in the movie would have killed her in no time. For future reference, in case anyone comes across a diabetic experiencing a seizure. Do not give insulin in this case. This will lower blood sugar further. What…

Why shoot it into the leg? Aren't most injections given in the arm? If it needs to go into a vein is it an issue of it reacting faster there?

[deleted]

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#157

Post by bigtunacan »

coldpie wrote: post #151
bigtunacan wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your last point listed here is such a big deal too. It shouldn't matter if these things are 100% effective; they need to be released and patients need to be informed that manual testing still needs to be done. If for no other reason than to help reduce the number of type 1 diabetics who die in their sleep from low blood sugars. For anyone here not familiar with this phenomenon; it is referred to as "Dead in Bed Syndr…

Yep. I actually have two alarms on my phone, one for wakeup, and one for 2 hours after I go to sleep. I've been doing this for years. Most nights I just solve the math problems unconsciously and go back to sleep. But some nights, I can't solve the math problems or otherwise feel low and I know it's time to check the BG.

I really should set an alarm for a middle of the night check as well, but so far shear dread seems to have been pretty effective. :(

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#158

Post by chronic25 »

coldpie wrote: post #150
bigtunacan wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not speaking for the parent, but I'm a 35 year old T1D who has been diagnosed for only about 7 years and I am already nearly asymptomatic when I have low blood sugars. The risk of becoming asymptomatic for low blood sugars increases over time, but it is completely inconsistent. Some diabetics have always been asymptomatic for low blood sugars, others will go their whole lives and always have easy to detect symptoms.…

I was diagnosed when I was 12, about 13 years ago, and I can usually still detect when I'm under 60 or 70. I'm one of the tight-control types that the OP mentioned (6.4 A1c), so this happens a few times a week. I usually notice it when I can't think, and instead wander over the same two thoughts back and forth. Suddenly I realize I'm thinking in the tiniest of circles and go have some yogurt or something. The first t…

Microsoft has been doing this research for years.

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#159

Post by zaider »

[deleted] wrote: post #156
zaider wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why shoot it into the leg? Aren't most injections given in the arm? If it needs to go into a vein is it an issue of it reacting faster there?

[deleted]

But morganherlocker is talking about glucagon not insulin, but it seems to also be injected into fat. Is it just easier to find fat on a leg?

Re: Introducing our smart contact lens project (for diabetics)

#160

Post by chronic25 »

ceejayoz wrote: post #73
matznerd wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was going to say this! Ketogenic diet is the best and most stable way of eating for pretty much anyone. Fat is a much better source of energy than glucose.

Rule #1 on diet/health claims: anyone that claims something to be the "best for pretty much anyone" is virtually guaranteed to be bullshitting.

It doesn't matter if it is bullshit. I will even lie as long as I get sales.
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